NEW DELHI, 09/09/2026: BJP National President Nitin Nabin addressing a Press Conference at BJP Headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday. Photo: Sushil Kumar Verma / The Hindu
| Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Nabin on Wednesday (September 9, 2026) targeted Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his “Chhatron ki Goonj” programme series, claiming that its impact would not extend beyond his party workers.“Those who are trying to misdirect the voices of children...if there had been strength in their own voices, when they had the opportunity, they would have done something for the youth of this country,” said Mr. Nabin in response to a question at a press conference.He said: “Under the leadership of Narendra Modi, today’s youth is moving forward by becoming self-reliant. So, I do not believe that the impact of their ‘Goonj’ will extend beyond their own party workers. The youth of the country and the general public are with Modi ji.”‘Anti-national mindset’Attacking the Congress over its recent decision to sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party events, Mr. Nabin described the party as having an “anarchic” and “anti-national” mindset.This year, October 7 will mark 25 years since Mr. Modi began his public-service career as Gujarat Chief Minister. Mr. Nabin said the party was therefore holding a month-long “Seva Sankalp Abhiyan” from September 17 to October 17.The campaign’s purpose was to take to every person the changes brought by him during this period, ranging from good governance and welfare schemes, to strengthening the resolve of “Viksit Bharat 2047”, he said.Listing the achievements of the Modi government, the BJP chief said 25 crore poor families were lifted out of poverty; 80 crore people provided ration; over 100 crore connected to social security schemes; 200 crore free COVID vaccines administered; houses given to over four crore poor people, etc. The country’s international standing increased; the internal and external security was strengthened, and strong steps taken to eliminate Naxalism, he said.Mr. Nabin said the government bolstered the country’s cultural identity through various projects; encouraged self-reliance across sectors; and launched major youth employment-oriented initiatives. Emphasis was being given to “women-led development” and securing women’s rights.He said the BJP’s campaigns were not responses to Opposition programmes. They were based on the party’s ideology, vision, and manifesto, and with the goal to unite the country’s 140 crore citizens.Alleging “anarchy and corruption” in Punjab, Mr. Nabin said the party would take those issues to coming polls. He said there was a need for a larger public movement against drugs in the State and the BJP intended to build such a campaign. Published - September 09, 2026 09:07 pm IST
